One team in Glasgow Partick Thistle

Thistle’s away season finished at New Broomfield today after an entertaining 1-1 draw with an Airdrie team still haunted by the prospect of relegation. Sometimes these games can be one-sided in terms of commitment with one team having far more to play for than the other, but there was no shortage of effort from the Jags players and they were cheered from the pitch by an away support that clearly appreciated the positive nature of the performance.

Caretaker manager Jimmy Bone only made on change from the side that had secured Division One safety last week against Dundee, with Alan Archibald returning from suspension and replacing Craig Sives, who dropped to the bench.

Disappointingly, there was no pantomime villain in the style of Alex Rae this week, although referee Steve Conroy did his best to infuriate the fans with some bizarre refereeing.

Both goals arrived inside the first 15 minutes, with Thistle’s goal if anything coming slightly against the run of play. Conroy had already turned down a Thistle penalty appeal for handball when Airdrie took the lead after only 8 minutes, with top scorer Gary Twigg powerfully heading past Tuffey after a cross from the Airdrie right.

Thistle wasted no time in restoring parity however, and the equaliser followed shortly from the unlikely source of Barry Smith. Good progress was made down the right by John Robertson, and he laid the ball off to Smith on the edge of the area, whose left foot shot flew past Stephen Robertson in the Airdrie goal. Happily this goal allowed the Thistle fans to resume reminding the home support that they may well be watching Cowdenbeath and Berwick next season.

The combination of Robertson and Billy Gibson down the Jags right that led to the goal was proving productive, and in general Thistle were certainly the team playing better football for much of the game. Tuffey often looks for a throw out rather than automatically hitting a long ball, definitely a good tactic when we lack much of a physical presence up front.

Having said that, it was from a Tuffey clearance that Thistle’s next chance arrived with 20 minutes gone. After saving a low shot from Graeme Holmes and then confidently claiming the resultant Airdrie corner, his kick-out was won well by Derek Young, but from his knock down Adam Strachan was only able to volley over.

There were not many more clear chances in the first half, although both teams were looking to attack. Thistle were looking the more likely team to score, and another penalty claim was turned down after Mark Roberts appeared to be fouled in the area. This looked more of a penalty than the handball, but again Conroy waved away the appeals. Young also came close for Thistle, but his shot while under serious pressure was high over the bar, following a good run from Billy Gibson.

Captain Jimmy Gibson picked up an injury towards the end of the first half, and he had to be replaced at the interval by Brown Ferguson. Gibson has been poor recently, and this enforced change actually added some drive to the Jags midfield. His namesake Billy has the first effort of the second half, but his high volley from the edge of the area was all Thistle had to show for a few corners in succession.

Airdrie then had a goal disallowed for offside with half an hour remaining, and soon after Steven MacDougall’s hooked shot following a corner just drifted over. Thistle survived this short spell of home pressure, and were very much the stronger team for the remainder of the match.

Firstly a Mark McChrystal cross was cushioned by Young into the path of the onrushing Ferguson, but he couldn’t control his shot and it sailed over. Billy Gibson then did the same after another strong run as Thistle began to push for the winner. Twigg remained dangerous on the break for Airdrie, and he was able to escape the attentions of both Archibald and Scott Boyd before his shot was saved by Tuffey, and only good fortune ensured that the rebound did not land at the feet of Ian Harty.

Derek Young had worked hard up front against Stephen McKenna and ex-Thistle dud Stuart Taylor (how did he manage to avoid a booking?), and he had two chances in the last ten minutes to win it for Thistle. He somehow managed to head just past from all of two yards after a dangerous Strachan free-kick, and then shot narrowly wide at the end of a flowing Jags move involving Gibson and a superb dummy from Strachan.

That move deserved a finish, but it was refreshing to see Thistle playing more good football than on many occasions this season. There are still some shaky moments in defence but with so many changes in personnel both in the back four and in the goalkeeper perhaps this is inevitable.

Great support from the fans today too – see you all at Cappielow (and maybe Broomfield and Love Street?) next season.

Man of the match:
ADAM STRACHAN - Tormented David Proctor during the second half, and seemed to respond well to the backing he received playing in front of the fans on that side. Honourable mentions too for Billy Gibson, Barry Smith and John Robertson – I especially like the way Robertson passes the ball into midfield and then charges forward.

Thistle: Tuffey 7, Robertson 7, McChrystal 6, Smith 7, Boyd 6, Archibald 6, J Gibson 6 (Ferguson 46, 6), Young 7, B Gibson 7, Roberts 6 (Russell 71), Strachan 8.
Unused subs; Arthur, Morrow, Sives.

Airdrie: Robertson, Proctor, Lovering, McKenna, Lukaszewski (Taylor 46), MacGowan, McGuire (McKeown 69), Harty, Twigg, Holmes, McDougall (McPhee 75).
Unused subs; Hollis, Potter.